A l centre is getting a major refit as part of ongoing plans to improve facilities across Northumberland.

Work at Concordia Leisure Centre, in Cramlington, starts in September and will include the refurbishment of the gym, and the provision of a new Clip ‘n Climb activity, soft play facilities and a 10-pin bowling alley.

Active Northumberland and Northumberland County Council are spending £3.5m to modernise the site and bring new family entertainment and activities into the town centre.

Bruce Ledger, chief executive of Active Northumberland, said: “The development at Concordia is just the beginning of our site improvement plans and we want to create a modern leisure space that appeals to families and individuals.

“One of our biggest priorities is to inspire people to be active every day and the refurbishment of Concordia will provide residents with fantastic facilities.”

The plans also include developing a dedicated spinning studio, a new fitness studio, a revamped café and the relocation of Cramlington Library into the centre.

The work will be done in three phases to minimise disruption. During the first phase, the existing sports hall will be divided in two - one half will remain unchanged with its four courts for badminton and football, while the other will feature a themed four-storey soft play area for children of all ages from babies to early teens.

A CGI of what the new gym at Concordia Leisure Centre could look like (Image: Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall Architects)

The hall will also house the area’s first Clip ‘n Climb, a series of climbing-based challenges that use an automatic belay device to make indoor climbing accessible for all ages and abilities.

Colin Winfield, area manager for Active Northumberland, said: “Clip ‘n Climb has been a huge success since its introduction to the UK and we are really excited to introduce it into Cramlington. Concordia already plays a big role in the town centre and we are confident that Clip ‘n Climb is going to be very popular.”

The work in the sports hall will be completed in November and the gym refurbishment in December. The gym will be extended from its current location through to the studio where the climbing wall will be removed. The number of machines will almost double to over 100 with a dedicated area for functional training.

Active Northumberland has chosen Technogym as the supplier for the equipment.

Coun Val Tyler, cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture at the county council, said: “We recognise that there is an increasing demand for improved facilities at Concordia and the refurbishment will make the centre fit for the 21st Century.

“Health and wellbeing is hugely important and the modernised centre will give residents and visitors a much better space and new opportunities to be more active.”

A CGI of what the new soft play at Concordia Leisure Centre could look like (Image: Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall Architects)

The second development phase starting in November includes work to create the 10-pin bowling alley, a dedicated spinning studio, spa and updates to the dry changing areas and party rooms.

The spinning studio will be completed in February 2016. It will have 25 Keiser bikes on a tiered layout and will feature virtual instructors as well as traditional group cycling classes.

The 10-pin bowling lanes will be built on the site of the old bowling green, and the bar and catering areas will be revamped, with this work due to be completed by April 2016.

Phase three, which will run from March to June 2016, will cover improvements to the foyer and entrance, the creation of an additional fitness studio, and the relocation of Cramlington Library into the Leisure Centre.